Punctum dilating and plug inserting instrument with push-button plug release
US5741292A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 28, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 21, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F9/00772
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A punctum dilating and plug inserting instrument includes a cylindrical body with a first end being a plug inserting tip, and a second end being a punctum dilating tip. An elongated button is arranged longitudinally along the body. The button includes a fixed end and a slidable end; the fixed end being positioned between the slidable end and the plug inserting tip. The button also includes an outwardly bowing inner surface spaced from the body. A wire is slidably positioned longitudinally within the body. The wire includes an outer end protruding from the plug inserting tip, and an inner end attached to the slidable end of the button. A conventional punctum plug is attached to the outer end of the wire, and can be inserted into a punctum after the punctum is dilated by the dilating tip. The plug is released by depressing the button, which causes the outwardly bowing inner surface to be moved inwardly against the body, and the slidable end to be moved along the body away from the fixed end and the plug inserting tip. The wire is thus pulled by the slidable end of the button away from the punctum plug to release it.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.